NFL Playoffs: 5 reasons the New Orleans Saints will make the playoffs

Nov 13, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks to wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) after his fourth quarter touchdown catch against the Denver Broncos at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Broncos won, 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank and head coach Dan Quinn looks on prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Teams above them can implode

At this point, the list of teams that the Saints are chasing is plentiful. Most of the Falcons, Giants, Redskins, Buccaneers, and Vikings will have to slip up in one way or another for the Saints to have a chance to make the playoffs. Luckily for them, each team has a couple glaring holes.

The Vikings are in a free-fall since starting 5-0. They have gone 1-5 since and their offensive line will cause them to finish well below the Saints in the standings. The Redskins currently rank 32nd in rushing DVOA. With that said, David Johnson, Jonathan Stewart, and Jordan Howard are all still on the schedule. The Giants are currently in the five seed, meaning they are the last of the Saints worries. Still, if the Redskins do not implode, it could be a Week 17 matchup between those two teams that will have final wild card implications.

Then there is the NFC South. The Bucs sit one game ahead of the Saints, but the two teams play twice. In that case, the Saints literally will control their destiny. They sit two games behind the Falcons, but if there is one thing about the Falcons, it is that they love to choke. Heck, just last year the team got off to a 6-1 start before sputtering to 2-7 down the stretch.

The Saints also will see the Falcons in Week 17, which would mean that they just have to be within one game of the Falcons to be in striking distance. The playoffs are within reach for the Saints over the next five weeks. They have the weapons to make it happen, so stay tuned.

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